Circuit interrupter diagnostic system

ABSTRACT

A system includes a circuit interrupter including a light source structured to output light and a first processor structured to obtain information associated with the circuit interrupter and to control the light source to output light in a pattern representing the information. The system also include an adapter structured to detect light output by the light source, convert the detected light to another form, and to output the converted form of the light and an electronic device structured to receive the converted form of the light. The electronic device includes a second processor structured to convert the converted form of the light into the information.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosed concept relates generally to circuit interrupterdiagnostic systems, and more particularly, to circuit interrupterdiagnostic systems for obtaining information from circuit interrupters.

Background Information

Circuit interrupters, such as for example and without limitation,circuit breakers, are typically used to protect electrical circuitryfrom damage due to an overcurrent condition, such as an overloadcondition, a short circuit, or another fault condition, such as an arcfault or a ground fault. Circuit breakers typically include separablecontacts. The separable contacts may be operated either manually by wayof an operator handle or automatically in response to a detected faultcondition. Typically, such circuit breakers include an operatingmechanism, which is designed to rapidly open the separable contacts, anda trip mechanism, such as a trip unit, which senses a number of faultconditions to trip the breaker automatically. Upon sensing a faultcondition, the trip unit trips the operating mechanism to a trip state,which moves the separable contacts to their open position.

It is well known to employ trip units which utilize a microprocessor todetect various types of overcurrent trip conditions and provide variousprotection functions, such as, for example, a long delay trip, a shortdelay trip, an instantaneous trip, and/or a ground fault trip. The longdelay trip function protects the load served by the protected electricalsystem from overloads and/or overcurrents. The short delay trip functioncan be used to coordinate tripping of downstream circuit breakers in ahierarchy of circuit breakers. The instantaneous trip function protectsthe electrical conductors to which the circuit breaker is connected fromdamaging overcurrent conditions, such as short circuits. As implied, theground fault trip function protects the electrical system from faults toground.

Circuit breakers have a variety of related diagnostic information. Somecircuit breakers can be physically connected to an electronic device totransfer the diagnostic information from the circuit breaker to theelectronic device. However, this process is time-consuming and requiresthe circuit breaker to have a connector that is accessible to atechnician. Some other circuit breakers have a display that can displaythe diagnostic information. However, this approach is costly.Additionally, the diagnostic information is not transferred from thecircuit breaker to another device.

There is thus room for improvement in circuit interrupter diagnosticsystems.

SUMMARY

These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept,which are directed to a system including a circuit interrupterstructured to output a light pattern representing information associatedwith the circuit interrupter.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed concept, a systemcomprises: a circuit interrupter including: a light source structured tooutput light; and a first processor structured to obtain informationassociated with the circuit interrupter and to control the light sourceto output light in a pattern representing the information; an adapterstructured to detect light output by the light source, convert thedetected light to another form, and to output the converted form of thelight; and an electronic device structured to receive the converted formof the light, the electronic device including: a second processorstructured to convert the converted form of the light into theinformation.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed concept, a systemcomprises: a circuit interrupter including: a light source structured tooutput light; and a first processor structured to obtain informationassociated with the circuit interrupter and to control the light sourceto output light in a pattern representing the information; and anelectronic device including: a light sensor structured to detect lightoutput by the light source and to output an electrical signal based onthe detected light; and a second processor structured to convert thesecond electrical signal into the information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic systemin accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic systemin accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic systemin accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic systemin accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept;and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an electronic device in accordance withan example embodiment of the disclosed concept.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right,front, back, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to theorientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limitingupon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

As employed herein, the term “processor” shall mean a programmableanalog and/or digital device that can store, retrieve and process data;a controller; a control circuit; a computer; a workstation; a personalcomputer; a microprocessor; a microcontroller; a microcomputer; acentral processing unit; a mainframe computer; a mini-computer; aserver; a networked processor; or any suitable processing device orapparatus.

As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled”together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directlyor joined through one or more intermediate parts.

As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integergreater than one (i.e., a plurality).

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic system1 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. Thecircuit interrupter diagnostic system 1 includes a circuit interrupter10 (e.g., without limitation, a circuit breaker), an adapter 20 and anelectronic device 30.

The circuit interrupter 10 includes a first terminal 11 structured toelectrically connect to a power source (not shown) and a second terminal12 structured to electrically connect to a load (not shown). The circuitinterrupter 10 also includes separable contacts 13, an operatingmechanism 14, and a first processor 15.

The separable contacts 13 are electrically connected between the firstand second terminals 11,12 and are movable between a closed position andan open position. When the separable contacts 13 are closed, the firstand second terminals 11,12 are electrically connected. When theseparable contacts 13 are open, the first and second terminals 11,12 areelectrically disconnected. The operating mechanism 14 is a devicestructured to trip open the separable contacts 13.

Although separable contacts 13 are disclosed, suitable solid stateseparable contacts can be employed. For example, the disclosed circuitinterrupter 10 includes a suitable circuit interrupter mechanism, suchas the separable contacts 13 that are opened and closed by the operatingmechanism 14, although the disclosed concept is applicable to a widerange of circuit interruption mechanisms (e.g., without limitation,solid state switches like FET or IGBT devices; contactor contacts)and/or solid state based control/protection devices (e.g., withoutlimitation, drives; soft-starters; DC/DC converters) and/or operatingmechanisms (e.g., without limitation, electrical, electro-mechanical, ormechanical mechanisms).

The first processor 15 is structured to detect a fault condition basedon input from one or more sensors (not shown) included in the circuitinterrupter 10. The fault condition may include, without limitation, anover current, a short circuit, a ground fault, or an arc fault. Based ondetection of a fault condition, the first processor 10 controls theoperating mechanism 14 to trip open the separable contacts 13. In someexample embodiments of the disclosed concept, the first processor 10forms part of an electronic trip unit.

A memory (not shown) may be associated with the first processor 15 orincluded as part of the first processor 15. The first processor 15 maybe, for example and without limitation, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, or some other suitable processing device or circuitry,that interfaces with the memory. The memory can be any of one or more ofa variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as,without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), FLASH, and the likethat provide a storage register, i.e., a machine readable medium, fordata storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage area of acomputer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory.

The first processor 15 is also structured to obtain informationassociated with the circuit interrupter 10. The information may includea cause of trip of the circuit interrupter 10. However, the informationmay also include information other than the cause of trip such as,without limitation, information related to the cause of trip that may bebeneficial to a technician diagnosing the circuit interrupter 10 or anycircuits it is associated with. The information may include, for exampleand without limitation, a voltage level, a current level, or a peaklevel prior to a trip, a number of lifetime trips, and high frequencycharacteristics. The information may also include, without limitation, alogged history of each fault instance and root cause of trip, othervarious information prior to a trip, a time duration between a faultevent and a trip command, or other information not directly related tothe most recent fault.

The circuit interrupter 10 further includes a driver circuit 16 and alight source 17. The light source 17 may be any suitable component orcomponents suitable to produce light such as, for example and withoutlimitation, a light emitting diode (LED). It is also contemplated thatthe light source 17 may include multiple light sources such as, forexample and without limitation, multiple LEDs, without departing fromthe scope of the disclosed concept. The driver circuit 16 iselectrically connected to the light source 17 and includes circuitrysuitable to drive the light source 17. The first processor 15 iselectrically connected to the driver circuit 16 and is structured tocontrol the light source 17, via the driver circuit 16. The drivercircuit 16 may control the light source 17 by, for example, pulsing(e.g., turning on or turning off the light source 17) or dimming thelight source 17. It is also contemplated that more complex schemes maybe employed to control the light source 17 without departing from thescope of the disclosed concept.

The first processor 15 is further structured to encode informationassociated with the circuit interrupter 10 in a manner suitable fortransmission. The first processor 15 is also structured to control thelight source 17 (e.g., without limitation, to pulse or dim the lightsource 17) to output a light pattern representing the informationassociated with the circuit interrupter 10. The light pattern producedby the light source 17 may be detected and decoded to obtain theinformation associated with the circuit interrupter 10. It iscontemplated that the information may be encoded in any manner suitablefor serial single channel transmission. One non-limiting example ofserial encoding is the Infrared Data Association (iRDA) standard fortelevision remote controls. However, it will be appreciated by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art that any suitable serial single channelprotocol may be employed by the first processor 15 to encode theinformation without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

It is contemplated that in some example embodiments of the disclosedconcept, the first processor 15 may control the light source 17 in amanner other than activating and deactivating it to generate the lightpattern. For example and without limitation, the first processor 15 canalso dim or brighten the light source 17 by different amounts. Moreover,in some example embodiments of the disclosed concept, the light source17 is capable of changing colors and the first processor 15 can controlthe light source 17 change colors. Furthermore, in some exampleembodiments of the disclosed concept, the light source 17 includes morethan one component that produces light (e.g., multiple LEDs) and thefirst processor 15 can activate or deactivate, dim or brighten, and/orchange colors of individual light producing components to generate thelight pattern.

The circuit interrupter diagnostic system 1 further includes the adapter20. Adapter 20 is structured to detect light output by the light source17, convert the detected light to another form (e.g., withoutlimitation, an electrical signal), and to output the converted form ofthe light. The adapter 20 includes a light sensor 21, a conversion unit22 and an output connector 23. The light sensor 21 (e.g., withoutlimitation, a photo-resistor) is structured to detect light from thelight source 17. The light sensor 21 is electrically connected to theconversion unit 22 and provides the conversion unit 22 with anelectrical signal based on the light detected from the light source 17.

The conversion unit 22 is structured to receive the electrical signalrepresenting the detected light from the light sensor 21 and to convertit to another form. In some example embodiments of the disclosedconcept, the conversion unit 22 converts the electrical signalrepresenting the detected light into an audio electrical signal that maybe received by an audio input port of a device such as the electronicdevice 30. The conversion of the electrical signal by the conversionunit 22 may involve, for example and without limitation, amplifying orlevel shifting the electrical signal. The conversion of the electricalsignal by the conversion unit 22 may also include, for example andwithout limitation, encoding the electrical signal in a differentmanner.

The conversion unit 22 may include a processor (not shown) and a memory(not shown). The processor may be, for example and without limitation, amicroprocessor, a microcontroller, or some other suitable processingdevice or circuitry, that interfaces with the memory. The memory can beany of one or more of a variety of types of internal and/or externalstorage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s),EEPROM(s), FLASH, and the like that provide a storage register, i.e., amachine readable medium, for data storage such as in the fashion of aninternal storage area of a computer, and can be volatile memory ornonvolatile memory.

The conversion unit 22 is electrically connected to the output connector23 and is structured to output the converted electrical signal to theoutput connector 23. The output connector 23 is structured toelectrically connect to and provide the converted electrical signal toanother device such as, without limitation, the electronic device 30.

The circuit interrupter diagnostic system 1 further includes theelectronic device 30. The electronic device 30 includes an inputconnector 31, a second processor 32 and a display unit 33. The inputconnector 31 is structured to electrically connect to the outputconnector 23 of the adapter 20 so as to create an electrical connectionbetween the adapter 20 and the electronic device 30. The input connector31 is structured to receive the converted electrical signal from theoutput connector 23 and is electrically connected to the secondprocessor 32 so as to provide the converted electrical signal to thesecond processor 32.

The second processor 32 is structured to receive the convertedelectrical signal from the input connector 31 and to decode theconverted electrical signal so as to obtain the information associatedwith the circuit interrupter 10 that was originally transmitted as alight pattern from the light source 17. The second processor 32 is alsoelectrically connected to the display unit 33 and is structured toprovide the information associated with the circuit interrupter 10 tothe display unit 33 in a manner suitable for display. The display unit33 is structured to display the information associated with the circuitinterrupter 10. The display unit 33 may be any suitable type of display.

A memory (not shown) may be associated with the second processor 32 orincluded as part of the second processor 32. The second processor 32 maybe, for example and without limitation, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, or some other suitable processing device or circuitry,that interfaces with the memory. The memory can be any of one or more ofa variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as,without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), FLASH, and the likethat provide a storage register, i.e., a machine readable medium, fordata storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage area of acomputer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory.

In accordance with some example embodiments of the disclosed concept,the conversion unit 22 is structured to convert the electrical signalbased on the light pattern to an electrical audio signal. Also, inaccordance with this example embodiment of the disclosed concept, theoutput connector 23 is an audio output jack and the input connector 31is an audio input port. Further, in accordance with this exampleembodiment of the disclosed concept, the electronic device 30 is amobile device, such as a smartphone, and the input connector 31 is aheadphone input port of the mobile device.

It is contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments of the disclosedconcept, the conversion unit 22 may convert the electrical signal tocomply with other types of electrical protocols such as, withoutlimitation, universal serial bus (USB), standardized serial protocol,ethernet, or other types of electrical protocols without departing fromthe scope of the disclosed concept.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic system1′ in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosedconcept. The circuit interrupter diagnostic system 1′ of FIG. 2 includesa circuit interrupter 10, an adapter 20′ and an electronic device 30′.The circuit interrupter 10 in the example embodiment of FIG. 2 is thesame as the circuit interrupter 10 in the example embodiment of FIG. 1.For economy and clarity of disclosure, a repeated description of thecircuit interrupter 10 is omitted.

The adapter 20′ is structured to detect light output by the light source17, convert the detected light to another form (e.g., withoutlimitation, an audible sound), and to output the converted form of thelight. The adapter 20′ includes a light sensor 21, a conversion unit 22′and a speaker 24. The light sensor 21 (e.g., without limitation, aphoto-resistor) is structured to detect light from the light source 17.The light sensor 21 is electrically connected to the conversion unit 22′and provides the conversion unit 22′ with an electrical signal based onthe light detected from the light source 17.

The conversion unit 22′ is structured to receive the electrical signalfrom the light sensor 21 and to convert it to an audio output signal.The audio output signal is a signal that is suitable to be output fromthe speaker 24. The conversion of the electrical signal by theconversion unit 22′ to the audio output signal may involve, for exampleand without limitation, amplifying or level shifting the electricalsignal. The conversion of the electrical signal by the conversion unit22′ to the audio output signal may also include, for example and withoutlimitation, encoding the electrical signal in a different manner.

The conversion unit 22′ is electrically connected to the speaker 24 andis structured provide the audio output signal to the speaker 24. Thespeaker 24 is structured to output an audible sound based on the audiooutput signal. The speaker 24 may be any type of speaker that issuitable to output an audible sound.

The electronic device 30′ includes a microphone 34, a second processor32′ and a display unit 33. The microphone 34 is structured to detect theaudible sound output by the speaker 24 and to output a second electricalsignal based on the detected audible sound. The microphone 34 is alsoelectrically connected to the second processor 32′ and is structured toprovide the second electrical signal to the second processor 32′.

The second processor 32′ is structured to receive the second electricalsignal from the microphone 34 and to decode the second electrical signalso as to obtain the information associated with the circuit interrupter10 that was originally transmitted as a light pattern from the lightsource 17. The second processor 32′ is also electrically connected tothe display unit 33 and is structured to provide the informationassociated with the circuit interrupter 10 to the display unit 33 in amanner suitable for display. The display unit 33 is structured todisplay the information associated with the circuit interrupter 10. Thedisplay unit 33 may be any suitable type of display.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, theelectronic device 30′ is a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and themicrophone 34 is the microphone of the smartphone. Also, in accordancewith some example embodiments of the disclosed concept, the adapter 20′is structured to be attached to the circuit interrupter 10 and disposedsuch that the light sensor 21 can detect the light pattern output by thelight source 17.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic system1″ in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosedconcept. The circuit interrupter diagnostic system 1″ of FIG. 2 includesa circuit interrupter 10, an adapter 20″ and an electronic device 30″.The circuit interrupter 10 in the example embodiment of FIG. 3 is thesame as the circuit interrupter 10 in the example embodiment of FIG. 1.For economy and clarity of disclosure, a repeated description of thecircuit interrupter 10 is omitted.

The adapter 20″ is structured to detect light output by the light source17, convert the detected light to another form (e.g., withoutlimitation, an wireless electromagnetic signal), and to output theconverted form of the light. The adapter 20″ includes a light sensor 21,a conversion unit 22″ and a wireless communication unit 26. The lightsensor 21 (e.g., without limitation, a photo-resistor) is structured todetect light from the light source 17. The light sensor 21 iselectrically connected to the conversion unit 22″ and provides theconversion unit 22″ with an electrical signal based on the lightdetected from the light source 17.

The conversion unit 22″ is structured to receive the electrical signalfrom the light sensor 21 and to convert it to another electrical signalsuitable for wireless transmission. The conversion of the electricalsignal by the conversion unit 22″ may involve, for example and withoutlimitation, amplifying or level shifting the electrical signal. Theconversion of the electrical signal by the conversion unit 22″ may alsoinclude, for example and without limitation, encoding the electricalsignal in a different manner.

The conversion unit 22″ is electrically connected to the wirelesscommunication unit 26 and is structured provide the audio output signalto the wireless communication unit 26. The wireless communication unit26 is structured to output a wireless electromagnetic signal based onthe electrical signal. The wireless communication unit 26 may transmitthe wireless electromagnetic signal in accordance with any suitablewireless communication protocol such as, without limitation, Bluetooth,wi-fi, z-wave, or any other suitable wireless communication protocol.

The electronic device 30″ includes a wireless receiver 36, a secondprocessor 32″ and a display unit 33. The wireless receiver 36 isstructured to receive the wireless electromagnetic signal from thewireless communication unit 26 and to output an electrical signal basedon the received wireless electromagnetic signal. The wireless receiver36 is also electrically connected to the second processor 32″ and isstructured to provide the electrical signal to the second processor 32″.

The second processor 32″ is structured to receive the electrical signalfrom the wireless receiver 36 and to decode the second electrical signalso as to obtain the information associated with the circuit interrupter10 that was originally transmitted as a light pattern from the lightsource 17. The second processor 32″ is also electrically connected tothe display unit 33 and is structured to provide the informationassociated with the circuit interrupter 10 to the display unit 33 in amanner suitable for display. The display unit 33 is structured todisplay the information associated with the circuit interrupter 10. Thedisplay unit 33 may be any suitable type of display. In accordance withan example embodiment of the disclosed concept, the electronic device30″ is a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and the microphone 34 isthe microphone of the smartphone.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circuit interrupter diagnostic system1′″ in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosedconcept. The circuit interrupter diagnostic system 1′″ of FIG. 4includes a circuit interrupter 10 and an electronic device 30′″. Thecircuit interrupter 10 in the example embodiment of FIG. 4 is the sameas the circuit interrupter 10 in the example embodiment of FIG. 1. Foreconomy and clarity of disclosure, a repeated description of the circuitinterrupter 10 is omitted.

The electronic device 30′″ includes a light sensor 38, a secondprocessor 32′″ and a display unit 33. The light sensor 38 (e.g., withoutlimitation, a camera) is structured to detect light from the lightsource 17. The light sensor 38 is electrically connected to the secondprocessor 32′″ and provides the second processor 32′″ with an electricalsignal based on the light detected from the light source 17.

The second processor 32′″ is structured to receive the electrical signalfrom the light sensor 38 and to decode the electrical signal so as toobtain the information associated with the circuit interrupter 10 thatwas originally transmitted as a light pattern from the light source 17.The second processor 32′″ is also electrically connected to the displayunit 33 and is structured to provide the information associated with thecircuit interrupter 10 to the display unit 33 in a manner suitable fordisplay. The display unit 33 is structured to display the informationassociated with the circuit interrupter 10. The display unit 33 may beany suitable type of display.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, theelectronic device 30′″ is a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and thelight sensor 38 is the camera of the smartphone.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the electronic device 30 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept. As shown in FIG.5, the electronic device 30 may be a mobile device, such as asmartphone, and the display unit 33 may include a display of the mobiledevice. However, it will be appreciated that the electronic device 30may be other types of devices such as, without limitation, a tablet or acomputer, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been describedin detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosedconcept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended andany and all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a circuit interrupterincluding: a light source structured to output light; and a firstprocessor structured to obtain information associated with the circuitinterrupter and to control the light source to output light in a patternrepresenting the information; an adapter structured to detect lightoutput by the light source, convert the detected light to another form,and to output the converted form of the light; and an electronic devicestructured to receive the converted form of the light, the electronicdevice including: a second processor structured to convert the convertedform of the light into the information.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the converted form of the light is an electrical signal; whereinthe adapter includes an output connector; wherein the electronic deviceincludes an input connector; wherein the output connector is structuredto electrically connect to the input connector; and wherein theelectronic device is structured to receive the electrical signal via theoutput connector and the input connector.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the electrical signal is an audio electrical signal; and whereinthe input connector is an audio input port.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the electronic device is a smartphone; and wherein the audioinput port is a headphone port.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theconverted form of the light is a wireless electromagnetic signal;wherein the adapter includes a wireless communication unit structured towirelessly transmit the wireless electromagnetic signal; and wherein theelectronic device includes a wireless receiver structured to receive thewireless electromagnetic signal.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theconverted form of light is an audible sound; wherein the adapterincludes a speaker structured to output the audible sound; and whereinthe electronic device includes a microphone structured to receive theaudible sound.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the informationassociated with the circuit interrupter includes information other thana cause of trip.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the informationassociated with the circuit interrupter includes at least one of avoltage level, a current level, or a peak level prior to a trip, anumber of lifetime trips, and high frequency characteristics.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the electronic device further includes adisplay unit electrically connected to the second processor andstructured to display the information.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the circuit interrupter further includes a first terminal, asecond terminal, separable contacts electrically connected between thefirst terminal and the second terminal, and an operating mechanismstructured to trip open the separable contacts.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the first processor is structured to detect a faultcondition and to control the operating mechanism to trip open theseparable contacts based on the detected fault condition.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein the electronic device is at least one of asmartphone, a tablet, and a computer.
 13. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first processor structured to control the light source to at leastone of pulse and dim to output light in the pattern representing theinformation.
 14. A system comprising: a circuit interrupter including: alight source structured to output light; and a first processorstructured to obtain information associated with the circuit interrupterand to control the light source to output light in a patternrepresenting the information; and an electronic device including: alight sensor structured to detect light output by the light source andto output an electrical signal based on the detected light; and a secondprocessor structured to convert the second electrical signal into theinformation.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic deviceis a smartphone; and wherein the light sensor is a camera.
 16. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the information associated with the circuitinterrupter includes information other than a cause of trip.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the information associated with the circuitinterrupter includes at least one of a voltage level, a current level,or a peak level prior to a trip, a number of lifetime trips, and highfrequency characteristics.
 18. The system of claim 14, wherein theelectronic device further includes a display unit electrically connectedto the second processor and structured to display the information. 19.The system of claim 14, wherein the circuit interrupter further includesa first terminal, a second terminal, separable contacts electricallyconnected between the first terminal and the second terminal, and anoperating mechanism structured to trip open the separable contacts. 20.The system of claim 19, wherein the first processor is structured todetect a fault condition and to control the operating mechanism to tripopen the separable contacts based on the detected fault condition.